"When we put together our top 20 games of last year, we specifically called out Civilization 7, Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Grand Theft Auto 6 as big franchise games we were already looking forward to for 2025. While one of those games has been delayed into 2026, the three others made this year's list of Ars' favorite games as expected. They join a handful of other highly anticipated sequels, ranging from big-budget blockbusters to long-gestating indies, on the "expected" side of this year's list."
"But the games that really stood out for me in 2025 were the ones that seemed to come out of nowhere. Those range from hard-to-categorize roguelike puzzle games to a gonzo, punishing mountainous walking simulation, the best G eometry Wars clone in years, and a touching look at the difficulties of adolescence through the surprisingly effective lens of mini-games."
2025 delivered a mix of anticipated franchise sequels and unexpected indie gems. Major franchises like Civilization 7, Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Grand Theft Auto 6 were highlighted, though one was delayed into 2026 while the others arrived. Expected sequels ranged from blockbuster productions to long-gestating indie projects. The most memorable releases were surprise titles spanning hard-to-categorize roguelike puzzle games, a punishing mountainous walking simulation, a standout Geometry Wars-style shooter, and a touching coming-of-age experience framed through mini-games. The industry now prepares for big-budget 2026 releases, with optimism for more unforeseen classics.
Read at Ars Technica
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]